Track switch



April 22, 1941.

w. EICHELBERGER TRACK SWITCH Filed Sep'l'.. l5, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEYS i@ fw April 22, 1941. w. EICHELBERGER TRACK SWITCH Filed sept. 1:5, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS Patented pr. 22, 179414 UNTED STATS PATENT Fifi TRACK SVVETCH Wiliiam Eichelberger, Grafton, W. Va.

Application September 13, 1939, Serial No. 294,745

1 Ciaim.

My invention relates to track switches and more particularly to track switches used in connection with tracks in mines and the like.

One of the principal objects of my invention is to provide a track switch equipped with means for preventing the switch being operated to open the main line track section when a car on the siding extends a sufficient distance towards the main line track section to engage or side-swipe a vehicle traversing the main line track section.

Another object of my invention is to provide a switch of the above described character equipped with signaling means for indicating the position of the switch and operable to indicate the main line track section as being clear only when a car on the siding has been moved to a position to effect proper clearance with a vehicle traversing the main line track section.

A further object of my invention is to provide a switch of the character described which is simple in construction, durable in use, efficient in operation and economical in installation. Y

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description, appended claim and annexed drawings.

Referring to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a top plan View of a track switch embodying my invention, illustrating the main line track section closed to traffic thereover.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure l illustrating the main line track section as being open to traffic thereover.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan View of one of the auxiliary rail members for controlling the operation of the movable switch section.

Figure 4 is a sectional View taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a sectional View taken on the line 5 5 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a sectional View taken on the plane of the line E--B of Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a sectional View taken on the plane of the line 1-1 of Figure 2.

Figure 8 is a sectional View taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 3 illustrating a portion of a car wheel in connection with one of the auxiliary rail members.

Figures 9 and 10 are longitudinal sectional views of the signal operating switch, the same being illustrated in closed and open positions respectively.

In practicing my invention I employ a typical form of track switch having a main line track section 5 connected to a siding track section t and a movable switch section l for eiecting open and closed positions of the main line and siding sections, respectively. The movable switch section i is operated to a desired position by means of an operating device 8, of any desired construction, connected to the switch section l by means of links 9.

Mounted on the ties supporting the tra-cir of the switch structure are auxiliary rail members l0, the same being spaced relative to each other adjacent the outer rail il of the siding track section. One of said rail members i6 is positioned opposite the switch frog i2 while the other is positioned adjacent the jointure of the arcuate section of the outer rail I l with the straight section thereof. Each of the rail sections l sli-dingly rest upon the respective ties and are connected to adjacent brackets I3, secured to said ties, by means of coil springs l5. One end of said springs embraces outwardly extending lugs l5 formed on the brackets, the opposite ends embracing similar lugs Il seated against the members ill between the head and fiange sections thereof. The springs I5 serve to normally urge the rail members I0 into engagement with the outer rail il. The fiange sections of the rail members l!) are each formed with a slot I3 for sliding engagement with offset sections of links I9 positioned therein, said links having a head 20 for engagement with the upper faces of the flange sections to prevent displacement therefrom. The opposite or outer ends of the links IS are pivotally connected to bell crank levers 2| in turn pivoted to an actuating rod 22, the end of which, adjacent the switch operating device il, is pivoted to a bell crank lever 23 having an end pivoted to a signal switch actuating arm 24. One end of the signal switch actuating arm 24 extends within a switch housing 25 while the opposite end of said arm is pivoted to the movable switch section I as clearly illustrated in the drawings.

Mounted interiorly of the switch housing 25 and insulated therefrom is a spring pressed switch contact member 26 adapted for engagement with a similar contact 2l secured to the arm 24. Said arm 24 is preferably constructed in sections and connected together adjacent the switch housing 25 as at 28. An electrical conduit 29 having electrical wires therein is connected to the housing 25 by means of a coupling 3i) and likewise to similar switch housings 25a gaseosa wherein similar switches are employed and connected to the respective rail sections l0 by means of arms 3l. The ends of the conduit 29 are connected to signal light housings 32 having signaling lights 33 contained therein and in circuit `with the switches contained in the housings 25 and 25a whereby actuation of the movable switch section and respective rail members I0 serves to illuminate or extinguish said lights through the medium of the respective signal switches, as the case may be.

Due to the position of the rail members I0 in proximity to the frog l2, the anges of the wheels of a car or other track vehicle extending over the clearance line of the main track section will interposingly engage the head of the outer rail Il and one or both of the rail members I0 and maintain the same in spaced relation, thereby effecting engagement between the contacts 26 and 21 of the respective signal switch or switches, cause an illumination of the lights 33 and prevent moving of the switch section 1 to effect an open main line track section. Movement of the car a sufficient distance upon the siding permits of the rail members I0 to be urged into engagement with the rail Il by means of the springs I5 to open the electrical circuit through a breaking of the contacts 26 and 21, thereby extinguishing the lights 33 and permitting the switch section 1 to be moved in :a position to open the main line track section for traic.

What I ciaim is:

In track switch locking apparatus, the combination with a main track section, a siding track section connected with the main section, a pair of switch rail points movable to open and close the main and siding sections respectively, means connecting the said rail points so that the said points move in unison, and mechanism for selectively actuating the said switch points, of an auxiliary rail member slidably mounted at the inner side of a complementary siding rail, a pair of lug elements secured against the side of the auxiliary rail, a pair of fixed brackets having lugs complementary to the lugs on the auxiliary rail, a pair of coiled compression springs tted on the said complementary lugs and disposed to yieldingly hold the auxiliary rail against the complementary siding rail, an arm pivotally fastened to one of the said switch points, a link operably connected with the auxiliary rail, a pair of bell crank levers connected to the said arm and link respectively, and a rod connecting the said bell crank levers whereby to lock the switch points and preclude opening thereof onto the siding when the auxiliary rail is disposed in a position separated from the complementary siding rail.

WILLIAM EICHELBERGER. 

